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Right Choice Program Substance Abuse Council of Indian River County Children Services A Ivisory Committee B. PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one pyge 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need9 c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference source, that corroborates that this is an area of need. Indian River County has a continuing need for a program that addresses drug and cohol offense committed by it ' s youth. Some of these youth are charged with misdemeanor drig or alcohol related charges. For others, their use is uncovered by a parent, without contact with law enforcement . This program was designed to reduce drug and alcohol use by youth by increasing pr tective factors thus reducing incidences of substance abuse and re-occurring juvenile offenses . Juvenile delinquency cases received in Indian River County within the five year period from FY96-97 to FY01 -02 decreased from 1 , 080 to 967 cases . But during the same time FY96-97 to FY01 -02 the number of Indian River County youth charged with misdemeanor drug and alcohol charges has increased by 55 % from 92 cases 142 cases. (These stats are based upon statistical data collected and reported in the 2001 -02 Florida Profile of Delinquency Cases and Youths Referred Report by the Bureau of Data & Research, DJJ). The FYSA Survey provides scientifically sound information on the prevalence of ATOD use, risk and protective factors. Risk and protective factors are characteristics of the community, school, family, individual and peer characteristics that are known to predict alcohol and other drug use, delinquency, and gang involvement. Besides measuring risk and protective factors, the FYS S also assesses the current prevalence of these problem behaviors in the community. The FYSAS (20 )2), an indicates that Indian River youth continue to exceeded the Florida State rate of youth reported alcohol use in their lifetimes. A survey question relating to binge drinking, defined as consumption o five or more drinks in one sitting within the past two weeks indicated that IRC, 22. 0% of surveyed stu nits reported binge drinking, with corresponding rates of 11. 9% among middle school stridents 29. 3% among high school students This represents higher rates of middle and high school binged I 'ng compared to the state as a whole (8. 6%for middle school and 22. 3%for high school). We can illustrate a similar story with data available for tobacco, marijuana, prescription and designer drugs. The prevalence rates for all drug use in Indian RC have historically been elevated above the state and national rates. In addition the FYSA Survey (2002), IRC scored higher than the State and other lik a Counties in the following risk factors areas_ • Poor Family Discipline • Early Initiation of Drug Use • Youth Attitude Favorable to ATOD use • Parental Attitude Favorable to Antisocial Behavior • Family History of Antisocial Behavior • Current ATOD use aff ong youth • Perceived Risks of Drug Use • Friends Use of Drugs • Parental Attitude Favorable to ATOD use 2. a) Identify similar programs that are currently serving the needs of your targeted population b) Explain how these existing programs are under-serving the targeted population of your program. New Horizons provides Student Support Specialist in the middle schools. DATA also provides services to youth. Both these agencies work with a very small indicated population of students and can not serve the entire indicated population of youth. These youth would receive no additional program services if the Right Choice Program was not available. The Right Choice program provides no duplication of services. 5